Valve actuating mechanism



May 9, 1939. G. D. JOHNSON VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Original Filed Dec.21, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gl lqlll iii G. D. JOHNSON VALVE ACTI LIATINGMECHANISM May 9, 1939.

Original Filed Dec. 21, 1936 @8- 613 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 7 2 YWH/ 1 May9, 1939. e. D. JOHNSON 2,157,263

VALVE ACTUATING MECHANI SM Original Filed Dec. 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVE ACTUATINGIVIECHANISM Glenn D. Johnson, Compton, Calif., assignor to Baash-BossTool Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California 9 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and relates more particularly to amechanism for operating valves such as the control valves for wells. Ageneral object of this invention is to provide a practical, dependableand highly efficient mechanism for operating a valve.

This application is a division of my application. for Letters Patent ofthe United States Serial No. 116,872, filed December 21, 1936.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism foroperating a valve such as the control valve of a well that is operableto simultaneously move two gates or valve members between their open andclosed positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve operatingmechanism of the character mentioned that is operable to move the gatesor valve elements rapidly during the initial phases of their movementstoward the closed positions and that operates to impart heavy positiveclosing forces to the valve elements as they approach their closedpositions to assure a complete cut-off of the fluid under pressure inthe well.

Another object of my invention is to provide a valve operating mechanismof the character mentioned embodying novel and very effective drivingconnections between the gear elements of the mechanism and the gatemembers of the valve, which connections produce increasingly greaterleverage or mechanical advantage as the valve members approach theirclosed positions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a valve actuating mechanismof the character mentioned that is operable to offer positive resistanceto movement of the valve members and that is operable to positively holdthe valve members in the closed positions against the fluid pressure inthe valvebody.

, A further object of my invention is to provide a valve actuatingmechanism of the character mentioned that is small and compact and thatis adapted for actuation by any suitable power means.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typicaL. preferredforms and applications of the invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front View of a well control valve showing certain parts ofone form of actuating mechanism of the invention in vertical crosssection. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the valve and th actuatingmechanism. Fig. 3 is a horizontal detailed sectional View of the valveand mechanism showing the valve members closed about a pipe extendingthrough the valve body. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary verticaldetailed sectional view of the valve showing the valve members engagingabout the pipe. Fig. 5 is a reduced diagrammatic front View of the valveshowing the various elements of the actuating mechanism in the positionsthey assume when the valve members are sealing about a pipe extendingthrough the valve. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing theelements of the actuating mechanism in the positions they assume whenthe valve members are in the full open positions and Fig. 7 is a frontview of the valve showing another form of actuating mechanism of theinvention with its parts in the positions where the valve members arefully closed to eifect a full shut off.

The valve actuating mechanism of the present invention is adapted foruse in connection with valves and like devices of various natures andthe mechanism may be varied somewhat to adapt it for specificapplications. In the following detailed description I will describe twotypical forms of the invention as employed to operate a well controlvalve of the character fully described and claimed in my co-pendingapplication referred to above. It is to be understood that the inventionis not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific forms orapplication about to be described, but is to be taken as including anyfeatures or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The well control valve illustrated in the drawings includes a body i0,valve members A and B in the body Ill, and packing means H on themembers A and B.

The body H1 is a hollow structure to be con.- nected with the upper endof the well casing C. The body is provided with a longitudinal orvertical opening l3 to register with the opening in the well casing C.The body I0 is connected with the casing C, having a flange M on itslower end bolted to a similar flange 15 on the upper end of the casingC. A flange It may be provided on theupper end of the body It around theopening l3 to facilitate the connection of fittings, etc., with thebody.

The body ll! is provided with a transverse opening ll intersecting theopening l3. The opening 1'! enters one side of the body l0 and a flat,substantially vertical wall !8 occurs at its inner end. An opening I9 ofreduced diameter and in concentric relation to the opening I! extendsinto the body I!) to have its inner end at the wall l8. The outer end ofthe opening I! is closed by a head or cap 20 secured to the body H] bystuds 2|. The inner side of the cap 20 presents a fiat, substantiallyvertical wall 22 at the end of the opening IT. A cylindrical socket 23is provided in the inner side of the cap 20.

The valve members A and B are provided to close off the opening l3communicating with the upper end of the casing C in the event that highpressures suddenly develop in the well. The valve members A and B havethe general configuration of sectors of an annulus or ring. The sides 24of the members A and B are generally fiat and are radial relative to thelongitudinal axis of the opening IT. The ends 25 of the members A and Bare fiat and substantially parallel to the adjacent opposing end walls[8 and 22 of the opening H. The peripheries 26 of the members A and Bare cylindrically curved and are substantially concentric with thecylindrically curved wall of the opening H. The interiors of the membersA and B have grooves 21 with cylindrically curved walls that areconcentric with and coincident with or outward of the cylindrical planeof the wall of the opening l3 when the members A and B are in their openpositions. When the members A and B are in the full open positions thegrooves 21 in effect constitute continuations of the opening [3 so thata drill pipe and other equipment may be operated through the casing Cwithout interference. The lower sides of the members A and B areprovided with complementary grooves 28 having cylindrically curvedwalls. The grooves 28 are adapted to more or less freely receive thedrill pipe P when the members A and B are in the operative positionswhere the packing means ll seals about the pipe P. An axially extendingrib 29 projects from the periphery 26 of each member A and B. The outersurfaces of the ribs 29 may be cylindrically curved and may slidablyengage the wall of the body opening ll.

The members A and B are supported for oscillatory movement about acommon horizontal axis coincident with the axis of the opening IT. Thevalve member A is provided with a tubular boss or trunnion 30 rotatableor turnable in the socket 23. The valve member B is provided with ahorizontally projecting stub shaft or trunnion 3| turnable in theopening of the tubular trunnion 30. The end of the member B adjacent oropposing the wall 18 has a horizontally projecting tubular trunnion 32rotatable or turnable in the opening IS. The tubular trunnion 32 extendscompletely through the opening l9 to project from the exterior of thebody In. The valve member A is provided with a horizontally projectingtrunnion 33 turnable in the tubular trunnion 32. The trunnion 33 extendscompletely through the trunnion 32. From the above it will be seen thatthe two valve members A and B have telescopically arranged journals ortrunnions supporting them for oscillatory movement about thelongitudinal axis of the opening IT.

A channeled sealing leather or washer 34 is recessed in the innerportion of the opening 23 to seal about the trunnion 30. A similarchanneled washer 35 is recessed in the inner end of the trunnion 30 toseal about the trunnion 3!. A grooved or channeled sealing washer 36 isrecessed in the inner portion of the opening l9 to pack about the innerpart of the trunnion 32. A similar channeled washer 31 is recessed inthe inner end of the trunnion 32 to seal about the trunnion 33.

The packing means I l are carried by the members A and B to seal withthe internal walls of the body It] and to cooperate to fully seal offthe opening I3 and, therefore, the upper end of the casing when there isno drill pipe or other equipment in the well and to seal with theinternal walls of the body l0 and to pack about the pipe P when the sameis extending into the easing C. The packing means ll includes two unitsor assemblies on the periphery of each of the members A and B. Eachpacking assembly includes an outer floating plate 38 and an inner plate39. The outer plates 38 have cylindrically curved outer surfaces adaptedto slidably engage the wall of the opening IT. The inner plates 39 areshaped to conform to the cylindrical peripheries 26 of the members A andB. The plates 38 and 39 extend circumferentially from adjacent the ribs29 to planes beyond the sides of the members and extend axially orlongitudinally of the members to have their ends slightly inset from theends of the members.

Layers 40 of rubber or other packing material are interposed between theplates 38 and 39. The layers 40 of packing material are vulcanized onthe opposing surfaces of the plates 38 and 39. Dove-tailed tongues 4| onthe opposing surfaces of the plates 38 and 39 are embedded in the layers40 of packing. Inserts 42 of dovetailed cross-sectional configurationare molded in the inner longitudinal edges of the layers 40 to receiveor cooperate with dove-tailed tongues 43 on the sides of the ribs 29 tosecure the packing assemblies to the ribs. The layers 40 of rubber orpacking material extend to the opposite ends of the sections A and B andproject beyond the ends of the plates 38 and 39. The end portions of thelayers 40 may overlie the ends of the plates 38 and 39 and present flatend surfaces for cooperating with the walls I8 and 22.

The upper longitudinal edges or sides 44 of the layers 40 of theuppermost packing assemblies are adapted to abut or cooperate when themembers A and B are swung to the closed positions to efiect a full shutoff. The lower longitudinal sides 45 of the layers 40 of the lowerpacking assemblies are flat and straight, being substantially radialrelative to the axis of movement of the members A and B. Notches 46 areprovided in the lower sides of the lower packing assemblies to interruptthe surfaces 45 and the lower surfaces or edges of the plates 38 and 39.The notches 45 are partially cylindrical and their walls are curvedconcentric with the walls of the above described grooves 28. When themembers A and B are operated to the positions illustrated in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings the grooves 28 and the notches 46 receive the drill pipe Pso that the surfaces 45 come into sealing cooperation.

The operating mechanism. provided by this invention is operable to swingor move the valve members A and B between the open positions where theirgrooves 21 are concentric with the opening I3 and the positionsillustrated in Fig. 4 Where the packing means H seal about the pipe Pand with the wall of the body opening I! and is operable to swing themembers A and B between the full open positions to the positions wherethe surfaces 44 of the packing means ll cooperate to close off the bodyopening l3 and to efiect a full shut ofi of the well.

The valve actuating mechanism of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to6, inclusive, of the drawings includes, generally, a driving gear a pairof gears 41 meshing with and driven by r from to mesh with the drivinggear 5|.

the gear 5| and operative connections X and X between the gears 4'! andthe closure members A and B, respectively, of the valve.

The driving gear 5| is preferably arranged at the exterior of the valvebody I!) and is such that it may be driven by any suitable source ofpower. The present invention is not concerned with the power meansemployed for rotating the gear 5| and the power means has been omittedfrom the drawings. The gear 5| is preferably in the nature of a worm andis fixed to a shaft 52. The driving gear shaft 52 is journaled in arms53 projecting from the valve body Ill. The shaft 52 extends beyond onearm 53 for connection with the power means (not shown). The worm or gear5| is fixed to the shaft 52 between its ends and is spaced between thesupporting arms 53. Bushings 54 surround the shaft 52 and have theirouter ends in bearing engagement with the supporting arms 53. Thrustbearings 55 are provided between the inner ends of the bushings 54 andthe adjacent ends of the gear 5| for the transmission of end thrusts.Lubricant retaining sleeves or tubes 9 preferably surround the bushings54 and the thrust bearings 55. The axis of rotation of the shaft 52 andthe driving gear 5| is preferably substantially diametric of and normalto the common axis of turning of the valve members A and B.

The gears 41 mesh with and are driven by the gear 5|. In the preferredconstruction illustrated in the drawings the gears 41 are in the natureof quadrant gears provided at their peripheries with worm teeth whichmesh with the worm gear 5|. The gears 4'! are supported for individualturning about spaced axes transverse of the axis of rotation of the gear5| in such a manner that they mesh with the gear 5| at diametricallyopposite points or zones. In the particular application of the inventionillustrated in the drawings arms 49 project from the valve body I0 andcarry horizontally projecting shafts 48. The gears 41 are rotatably orturnably supported on the shafts 4B and extend there- The guadrant gears4'! may have the usual spaced spokes and the outer portions orperipheral portions of the gears 41 are preferably flanged or thickenedto carry the teeth 50.

The operative connections X and X are important features of theinvention. The operative connection X operatively connects the valvemember A with one of the gears 41 while the connection X operativelyconnects the valve member B with the other gear 47. The operativeconnections X and X are such that turning of the gears 41 by rotatingthe gear 5| effects simultaneous movement of the valve members A and B,the directions of these movements of the members depending upon thedirection of rotation of the gear 5|.

The connection X includes a part on the trunnion 33 of the valve memberA. In practice this part may be a concentric pin 66 of reduced diameteron the outer end of the trunnion 33. The connection X further includes acrank 63 carried by or connected with the pin 66. In the particularconstruction illustrated in the drawings the crank 63 has a hub or boss63 extending into the outer end of the trunnion 32 with clearance. Theboss 63 has a socket 6| receiving the pin 60. A key 62 connects the boss63 and the pin 6!] against relative turning. The crank 63 projectsradially outward relative to the axis of turning of the valve members Aand B. The

crank 63 has an elongate opening or slot 64. The slot 64 is ofsubstantial length and has flat parallel side walls.

The operative connection X further includes a part on the gear 41adjacent the crank 63 cooperating with the slot 64 in the crank 63. Inthe preferred construction a pin 65 is turnable in an opening 66 in theouter portion of the gear 41 and has a fiat sided head or block 61slidable in the slot 64. A nut 68 may be threaded on the pin 65 toprevent loss of the pin from the opening 66. The block 6! carried by thegear 41 and operating in the slot 54 is operable to transmit movementfrom the gear 41 to the crank 63 and the valve member A. The parts arerelated so that the block 61 is in. the upper or inner portion of theslot 64 and the gear 41 has its intermediate teeth 50 in cooperationwith the gear 5| when the valve member A is in its full open position.Fig. 6 of the drawings illustrates this position and relationship of theparts. When the gear 41 is turned from the intermediate position justdescribed the block 6'! cooperating with the slot 64 effects turning ofthe crank 63 and as the crank turns the block 61 moves outwardly in theslot.

The operative connection. X includes a crank 59 similar to the crank 63.A tubular boss or collar 5'! is provided on the inner end of the crank69 and surrounds the projecting portion of the trunnion 32 on the valvemember B. The collar 51 is secured against turning on the trunnion by akey 553. The crank 59 projects radially from its collar 51. An elongateslot 64 is provided in the crank 59. The slot 64 has flat parallel sidewalls and the slot is of substantial length. A pin 65 is rotatable in anopening 66 in the adjacent gear 41 and a block 6! is fixed on one end ofthe pin 65 The block 61 is slidable in the slot 64 of the crank 59. Anut [i8 may be threaded on the pin 65 to prevent the loss of the pinfrom the opening 66 The block 6'! carried by the gear 4'! is operable totransmit movement from the gear to the crank 59. The parts are relatedso that the block 5! is in the lower or inner portion of the slot 64 andthe intermediate teeth of the gear 41 mesh with the gear 5| when thevalve member B is in its fully open position. When the said gear 41 isturned by rotation of the gear 5! the block 6'! cooperating with theslot 64 effects turning of the crank 59 and the valve member B and asthe crank turns the block 6'! moves outwardly in the slot 64.

It will be apparent that turning of the gear 5| results in simultaneousswinging of the gears 41 in opposite directions. This movement of thegears 4'5 is translated into swinging movement of the cranks 63 and 59by the blocks 61 and. 67 cooperating with the slots 64 and 64*,respectively. When the valve members A and B are in their full openpositions the cranks 59 and 63 are substantially vertical. It is to beparticularly noted that an increase in leverage or mechanical advantageis obtained in the op eration of the members A and B as they move towardtheir closed positions. The blocks 61 and 61* move outwardly in theslots 64 and 64 when the valve members A and B are operated toward theirclosed positions and as the members A and B approach their closedpositions the blocks Bl and 61* are greater distances from the axis ofmovement of the cranks and an increasingly greater leverage is obtaineddue to the changing relationship between the gears 41 and their relatedcranks. For this reason the operative connections X and X are capable ofdeveloping great force and power to operate the valve members A and B totheir closed positions against high fluid pressures that may exist inthe valve body In.

Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates a form of valve operating mechanismof the invention in wlr'ch the gears 4'l are operated by a shiftablerack 10. The gears 4'! may be identical with the above described gears41 except that their teeth II are shaped to mesh with the teeth on therack 10. The rack H1 is a double rack, that is, it has rows of teeth onopposite sides for meshing with the teeth H of the gears 41 The rack 10may be supported and guided by guides 12 carried by the above describedarms 53. The gears 4'! are operatively associated with their respectivecranks 63 and 59 by the operative connections X and X described above.In the particular arrangement illustrated in the drawings the rack Illis operated by a cylinder and piston mechanism 14. An operating rod 13is connected with the rack 10 and extends into an adjacent cylinder andpiston mechanism 14. The rod 13 may be connected with or may constitutethe piston rod of the mechanism 14. It is believed that it will beunderstood how the cylinder and piston mechanism 14 is operable to movethe translatable rack 10 to effect the desired movement of the valvemembers A and B.

Under normal conditions the parts of the operating mechanism may be inthe positions illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings so that the valvemembers A and B are in intermediate positions where their grooves 21 arealigned with the opening I3. In the event that high pressures suddenlydevelop in the well when the drill pipe P is extending through the body10 the shaft 52 may be turned to move the gears 41 to the positionsillustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. During this movement of the gears41 the blocks 61 and l3! cooperate with the slots 64 and 64 to causeturning of the cranks 63 and 59. This turning the cranks 63 and 59 isaccompanied by corresponding turning of the valve members A and B. Whenthe valve members A and B are moved to their closed positions as justdescribed the packing layers 40 cooperate and seal about the pipe P atthe notches 46. The actuating mechanism of the invention is adapted toapply heavy turning forces to the valve members A and B so that theirpacking means I l are brought into tight cooperation to assure a com-.plete seal about the pipe P. As described above,

siderable force may be imposed on the valve members to assure thecomplete closing off of the upper end of the well casing C about thepipe P. When it is desired to close off the well casing C when the pipeP is not present in the casing the operation is the same as describedabove except that the shaft 52 is turned in the opposite direction tomove the valve members A and B to the positions where the surfaces 44 ofthe packing means ll come into cooperation to provide a tight sealbetween the two valve members. The packing means II also seals with thewall of the body opening I! so that the valve members A and B effect afull seal or closure.

It is to be observed that the valve operating mechanism provided by theinvention may effect the simultaneous turning of the valve members A andB between either of their closed positions and the open position. Themechanism effects the rapid initial movement of the valve members A andB from their full open positions toward either of their closed positionsand imparts increasingly greater turning forces to the valve members asthey approach their closed positions.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of members independently rotatable about acommon pivotal axis, two levers, one connected with each of saidmembers, a pair of gears carried on spaced pivotal axes, means forsimultaneously turning the gears, and operative connections between thegears and levers whereby turning of the gears eflFects simultaneousturning of the levers.

2. In combination, a pair of members independently rotatable about acommon pivotal axis, two levers, one connected with each of saidmembers, the levers having slots, a pair of gears carried on spacedaxes, means for simultaneously turning the gears, and parts on the gearscooperating with the slots to transmit turning force to the levers andmembers.

3. In combination, a pair of valve closure members having a commonpivotal axis and swingable into engagement with one another to effect aclosure, a crank connected with each closure element, an actuating gear,gears arranged at opposite sides of the actuating gear and meshing withthe actuating gear, the last named gears having axes of turning spacedfrom said common axis of the members, a sliding driving connectionbetween one of the cranks and one of the said last named gears, and asliding driving connection between the other crank and the other lastnamed gear, said sliding driving connections transmitting increasinglyheavier turning forces to the cranks and closure members as the membersmove together to provide a tight closure.

4. In combination, a pair of members independently turnable about acommon axis, cranks turnable with the closure members and project ing insubstantially opposite directions, a pair of gears supported for turningabout spaced axes spaced at opposite sides of said common axis, asliding driving connection between one of the cranks and one of thegears, a sliding driving connection between the other crank and theother gear, and a driving gear arranged between and meshing with thefirst mentioned gears to effect turning thereof to simultaneously turnsaid members.

5. In combination, a pair of members independently turnable about acommon axis, cranks secured to the members and projecting insubstantially opposite directions, a pair of gears supported for turningabout spaced axes spaced at opposite sides of said common axis, asliding driving connection between one of the cranks and one of thegears, a sliding driving connection between the other crank and theother gear, and a driving gear located in a plane substantiallydiametric of the common axis of movement of the said members and meshingwith the first mentioned gears to effect turning thereof tosimultaneously turn said members.

6. In combination, a pair of members independently turnable about acommon axis, cranks secured to the members and projectinginsubstantially opposite directions, a pair of gears supported forturning about spaced axes spaced at opposite sides of said common axis,a sliding driving connection between one of the cranks and one of thegears, a sliding driving connection between the other crank and theother gear, and a rack arranged between and meshing with the firstmentioned gears to effect turning thereof to simultaneously turn saidmembers.

'7. Actuating means for a valve having a pair of closure membersindependently turnable about a common axis to be movable together intosealing cooperation, the said means comprising, cranks turnable with theclosure members and projecting in substantially opposite directions,each crank having a longitudinal slot, a pair of gears supported forturning about spaced axes, a part on one gear cooperating with one ofsaid slots, a part on the other gear cooperating with the other slot,the cooperation of said parts with the slots being such that increasingmechanical advantage is obtained to force the closure members intotighter cooperation as the parts move out in their respective slots, andmeans for turning the gears.

8. Actuating means for a valve having a pair of closure membersindependently turnable about a common axis to be movable toward oneanother into cooperation, the said means comprising,

cranks turnable with the closure members and projecting in substantiallyopposite directions, each crank having a slot, a pair of gears supportedfor turning about spaced axes, a turnab-le part on one gear slidablycooperating with the slot in one crank, a turnable part on the othergear slidably cooperating with the slot in the other crank, thecooperation of said parts with the slots being such that increasingmechanical advantage is obtained to force the closure members intotighter cooperation as the parts move out in their respective slots, anda worm meshing with said gears to turn the same whereby said partstransmit movement to the cranks and, closure members.

9. In a control gate for a well casing having a body to be connectedwith the casing and having an opening forming a continuation of theopening in the casing and a pair of oscillatory valve members in thebody turnable toward one another into sealing engagement, thecombination of a pair of gears rotatable on spaced axes, a double rackmeshing with the gears, a cylinder and piston mechanism operating therack, levers on the valve members each having a longitudinal slot, andoperative connections between the gears and the levers whereby the gearsoperate the levers, said connections comprising parts on the gearscooperating with the slots and movable outwardly in the slots as thegears turn in given directions to produce increasingly greater leverageto bring the valve members into tight cooperation as such turning of thegears continues.

GLENN D. JOHNSON.

